Located in the heart of the Lower Mainland, New Westminster offers a great opportunity to become a ‘fun’ destination. We need to adopt innovative ideas implemented in other cities that have a more vibrant patio culture and a willingness to support local citizens enjoying our parks and open spaces. As a team, we commit to:
- Increasing the overall number of approved permanent patio spaces in the city by reducing the associated fees and onerous red tape that is associated with their development, while expanding a Portland-style “Street Seats” program to support our local restaurants and cafes.
- As a means to fostering better neighbourhood engagement, eliminating all permit fees to host one neighbourhood street party per calendar year by April 2023.
- Having New Westminster play host to at least one major street festival per month on average.
- Finding opportunities to activate and bring to life unused and underutilized back lanes and side streets. The primary focus will be to develop new red-tape free micro-destinations that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to easily access, which promotes more street activities within neighbourhoods.
- In consultation with local residents, businesses and the appropriate provincial and federal regulatory bodies – develop a new “Waterfront Access Strategy” that will provide citizens to an increased number of safe access points to the Fraser River. This will include the development of increased capacity to temporarily moor a pleasure craft to access the shoreline and adjacent business districts in the downtown and River Market areas.
- Secure funding from senior levels of government to redevelop Pier Park and connect the downtown waterfront with Sapperton Landing Park.
Read our News Release HERE.